Housed in the apartment where Greek-Alexandrian poet Constantine P. Cavafy lived from 1907 until his death in 1933, the Cavafy Museum preserves the rooms much as they were during the poet's residence, including his bedroom, sitting room, and the balcony overlooking the street below that Cavafy referenced in his poetry. The museum opened in 1992 after restoration of the building on what was then Rue Lepsius, now Sharm El Sheikh Street, and displays personal belongings, furniture, first editions and manuscripts of Cavafy's poems, translations of his work into numerous languages, and photographs documenting his life in Alexandria's Greek community during the late Ottoman and early modern Egyptian periods. Cavafy worked for decades as a clerk in the Egyptian Ministry of Public Works while writing poetry that drew heavily on Alexandria's Hellenistic history and his own experience as a member of the city's cosmopolitan Greek diaspora. The museum also holds a research library of Cavafy scholarship and hosts occasional literary events tied to his legacy.
| Admission | Adult EGP 20 (~$0.38) · Child EGP 10 (~$0.19) students with valid ID |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily except Monday, 9:00AM-4:00PM |
| Address | 4 Sharm El Sheikh Street, Alexandria, Egypt |
Why it matters
As the preserved home of one of the 20th century's most influential Greek-language poets, the museum documents Alexandria's cosmopolitan Greek diaspora culture in the decades before its decline following the 1952 revolution.
Location
4 Sharm El Sheikh Street, Alexandria, Egypt
31.1969, 29.9037 View on map
Highlights
- The poet's preserved bedroom and sitting room furnished as during his lifetime
- Original manuscripts and first editions of Cavafy's poetry
- The balcony referenced in several of Cavafy's well-known poems
- Photographs documenting Alexandria's early 20th-century Greek community
- A dedicated research library of Cavafy scholarship and translations
Tips for visiting
- Visit is best appreciated with some familiarity with Cavafy's poetry beforehand
- The museum is small; a visit typically takes 30-45 minutes
- Closed Mondays, so plan visits for other days of the week
- Ask staff about English-language translations of the displayed manuscripts
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum English-language friendly?
Many displayed materials are in Greek or Arabic, but English translations of Cavafy's key poems are available on-site.
How long does a visit take?
A full visit typically takes 30-45 minutes given the museum's small scale.
Is it suitable for children?
It is a quieter, literary museum better suited to older children or adults with an interest in poetry and history.